Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Where Has the Year Gone?

DeKalb Chess Club has decided to let 2011 exit with a bang instead of a wimper, hosting a unique year-end tournament, Saturday, December 31.

For the first time locally (and probably last), the club will host a G/20 + 11 event in honor of the expiring year. This means that players will get an allotment of 20 minutes to make all moves in a game PLUS a delay of up to 11 seconds before the clock starts each turn.

Shorter time controls mean we can squeeze in four rounds... and still get out in plenty of time to enjoy the New Year festivities.

This event provides the book end to the 2011 Illinois Kick-Off held January 2, 2011, at the dearly departed, but not forgotten DeKalb Borders.

This event will not be USCF-rated... so no membership is required. Everyone is welcome!

HOWEVER....

However, if sufficient demand is received from parties wishing to participate in a rated section, the tournament director has the power to compose a USCF-rated section and submit those results to the US Chess Federation. Regardless, there will be at least two sections of unrated play, one for juniors, and one open to all-comers.

Registration and warm up will begin at 9am until around 9:45am with play starting at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm. The event is being held at the beautiful First Congregational Church, 615 N First Street in DeKalb.

We should wrap up round play around 3pm to allow for safe travels to wherever one might be ringing in the 2012 transition.

Entry fees are $10 for adults 21 and over, $5 for juniors with net proceeds going to the church facility fund. This is a small token of our appreciation for hosting us for casual chess on Mondays and providing a home for us, in general.

We hope 2011 has been a productive year for your chess and that club activity has contributed in some small way to your chess enjoyment.

Monday, December 19, 2011

DCC hosts Winter Chess Camp

DeKalb Chess Champ is proud to announce it will be hosting a four-day, kid-friendly chess camp over winter break. The dates of the 1/2 day camps are Tuesday, December 27 to Friday, December 30.

From 1pm to 4:45pm each day, participants will be getting a mind-expanding combination of demonstration board instruction, practice exercises, grandmaster video lessons, and chess play. From exploring of openings and endgames to the study of famous games and novel positions, the 15 hour camp will certainly take everyone's game to the next level (or two!).

Absolutely no knowledge of chess is assumed, but after a brief introduction, the camp will cover all the important aspects of chess including tactics and strategy. We'll also play some fun "chess variants" which are like chess but emphasize different skills. For example, Bughouse requires players to partner up and allows you to return pieces captured by one's partner to the board. Teamwork, communication and strategy are all necessary to prevail in Bughouse!

Advance registration is recommended through emailing name (and grade level if in school) to registration@dekalbchess.com. The cost is $45 for the entire camp with additional family members only $30. This covers all four afternoons. Single afternoons are available for $15 each. (Absolute beginners should attend the first session but otherwise, each day will be standalone).

All proceeds go to support the building fund of the First Congregational Church which is graciously hosting the camp and hosts the DeKalb Chess Club for casual play on Mondays. The church is located at 615 N. First Street in DeKalb (just north of the Ellwood House).

What a fun way to spend a portion of winter break!